Name: Glad To Be Gay (1997)
Duration: P00H04M28S
Description: To keep up with changing circumstances the lyrics to "Glad to be Gay" have changed and added to over the years. At the time of this album's re-release in May 1997 - this was the most up-to-date version: the lyrics not having changed since this track was recorded in Japan in August 1996. Taken from the subsequent live album "Home From Home".

Glad To Be Gay (1997)

from Cabaret 79 [1982] by Tom Robinson

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about

To keep up with changing circumstances the lyrics to "Glad to be Gay" have changed and added to over the years. At the time of this album's re-release in May 1997 - this was the most up-to-date version: the lyrics not having changed since this track was recorded in Japan in August 1996. Taken from the subsequent live album "Home From Home".

lyrics

The British Police are the best in the world
I don't believe one of these stories I've heard
'Bout them spending £3m to bust up a ring
Of consenting leathermen doing their thing;
It might have been private,
where no-one complained
But the judge put an end to their fun & their games
He sentenced the members to four or five years
I can't believe that sort of thing happens here

Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy that way, hey (x2)

The liars of Wapping are really the pits
Commissioned by bigots and written by shits
They plaster their pages with bingo and tits
Then add all the scandal and slander that fits
They pick out their victims, destroying their lives
They sneer as they smear as they damn and despise
If it's paedophile teachers or lesbian nuns
If it's filth and it's fiction... it's there in The Sun

And now there's a nightmare
They blame on the gays
It's brutal and lethal and slowly invades
The medical facts are ignored or forgot
By the bigots who think
It's the judgement of God
Attacked by the Vatican, bashed by The Bill
With cheap politicians all making a kill
The message is simple and obvious, please
Just lay off the patients and let's fight the disease

For 21 years now I've fought for the right
For people to love just whoever they like
But the right-on and righteous are out for my blood
Now I live with my kid and a woman I love
Well if gay liberation means freedom for all
A label is no liberation at all
I'm here and I'm queer and I do what I do
And I'm not gonna wear... a straitjacket for you

Sing if you're glad to be gay
Sing if you're happy that way

credits

from Cabaret 79 [1982], released June 1, 1982
Written by Tom Robinson (Konkwest Music)

Tom Robinson - Vocals
Adam Phillips - guitar
Andy Treacey - drums
Jo Burt - bass

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about

Tom Robinson London, UK

Tom Robinson (b.1950) is a UK songwriter & broadcaster first known in the 70s as an anti-racist and LGBT campaigner. He released 19 albums between 1975-2001 with various bands and has co-written songs with Elton John, Peter Gabriel, Dan Hartman and Manu Katché. He's an award-winning presenter at BBC Radio 6 Music, and released Only The Now (his first album in 19 years) in October 2015. ... more

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